Fantasy Football Cheat Sheet: Defensive Linemen Rankings 2018

Author:
Athlon Sports
Publish date:
Jul 30, 2018

For those fantasy football leagues that include Individual Defensive Players (IDPs), the position that can sometimes get overlooked is defensive linemen. Known for being pass rushers, the key when it comes to filling out your DL spot is finding a guy that can impact multiple categories or one that can at least get to the quarterback consistently.

Consider that among the top 10 fantasy defensive linemen in 2017, six of them also were among the league leaders in sacks -- Calais Campbell, Cameron Jordan, Chandler Jones (who may have had LB eligibility depending on the league), Joey Bosa, Demarcus Lawrence, and Yannick Ngakoue. That's without mentioning a trio of NFL Defensive Player of the Year honorees -- Aaron Donald, Khalil Mack and J.J. Watt.

Watt has had trouble staying healthy, but when he's on, he's arguably the No. 1 fantasy option. Mack's numbers dipped last season in comparison to his 2016 All-Pro campaign and then there's Donald, who may actually be underappreciated as a fantasy asset.

Donald may not rack up the tackles like some of his peers but in 14 games last year he collected 11 sacks and forced five fumbles. He could be even more dangerous this season given the veteran star power the Los Angeles Rams added on defense.

So it should come as no surprise that those are the names that dominate the top of this year's DL rankings. Regardless of your preference, if you have championship aspirations in your IDP league, don't underestimate the value of drafting an elite DL

2018 Positional Rankings: QB I RB I WR I TE I DST I K

2018 Defensive Linemen (DL) Rankings


Rk	Player	Team	Bye
1	Joey Bosa	LAC	8
2	Khalil Mack	OAK	7
3	J.J. Watt	HOU	10
4	Cameron Jordan	NO	6
5	Demarcus Lawrence	DAL	8
6	Chandler Jones	ARI	9
7	Melvin Ingram	LAC	8
8	Calais Campbell	JAC	9
9	Jason Pierre-Paul	TB	5
10	Everson Griffen	MIN	10
11	Aaron Donald	LAR	12
12	Myles Garrett	CLE	11
13	Muhammad Wilkerson	GB	7
14	Brandon Graham	PHI	9
15	DeForest Buckner	SF	11
16	Cameron Heyward	PIT	7
17	Danielle Hunter	MIN	10
18	Trey Flowers	NE	11
19	Akiem Hicks	CHI	5
20	Carlos Dunlap	CIN	9
21	Ziggy Ansah	DET	6
22	Yannick Ngakoue	JAC	9
23	Bruce Irvin	OAK	7
24	Mario Addison	CAR	4
25	Geno Atkins	CIN	9
26	Jurrell Casey	TEN	8
27	Damon Harrison	NYG	9
28	Frank Clark	SEA	7
29	Ndamukong Suh	LAR	12
30	Leonard Williams	NYJ	11
31	Cameron Wake	MIA	11
32	Kawann Short	CAR	4
33	Fletcher Cox	PHI	7
34	Jabaal Sheard	IND	9
35	Derek Barnett	PHI	7
36	Gerald McCoy	TB	5
37	Solomon Thomas	SF	11
38	Linval Joseph	MIN	10
39	Julius Peppers	CAR	4
40	Marcus Davenport	NO	6
41	Michael Bennett	PHI	7
42	Tak McKinley	ATL	8
43	Adrian Clayborn	NE	11
44	Stephon Tuitt	PIT	7
45	Chris Jones	KC	12